Stop 'vulgarization' of Pancasila: Roeslan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Respected senior statesman Roeslan Abdulgani
\nwarned yesterday against the perversion of the Pancasila
\nideology, and admonished what he called its \"vulgarization\" into
\nvarious aspects of life.<\/p>\n
\"Pancasila's sweep should be limited to the democratic,
\neconomic and philosophical fields,\" the former cabinet minister
\ntold journalists.<\/p>\n
He noted the way Pancasila has been \"vulgarized\", by using it
\nin facets of life with which ideology really has nothing to do
\nwith.<\/p>\n
The former head of the presidential advisory team on the
\nimplementation of The Guide to the Comprehension and Practical
\nApplication of Pancasila (P4), took a farcical look at how
\neverything should be in accordance to a Pancasila way.<\/p>\n
As light examples, he berated perceptions of Pancasila-ways of
\neating, walking or even playing football.<\/p>\n
Indonesian citizens, from university undergraduates all the
\nway to civil servants are required to take P4 upgrading courses.<\/p>\n
Roeslan, who is also a former foreign minister, denied that
\nthe acceptance of Pancasila by all political factions in 1983, as
\nthe sole state ideology, meant Indonesia's nation and character
\nbuilding was now saturated.<\/p>\n
\"If you think that the acceptance of one principle means that
\nit (nation and character building) is now finished, then you are
\nmistaken,\" Roeslan said.<\/p>\n
When queried whether he thought that such a situation existed
\nin society, Roeslan replied that the main thing is not to let
\nsuch a situation prevail.<\/p>\n
\"Pancasila cannot be 'absoluticized,'\" he said, arguing that
\nnation building includes the development of patriotism and social
\nsolidarity.<\/p>\n
Earlier, as a speaker during The Business Forum Luncheon at
\nthe Mercantile Club, Roeslan said that the current economic
\ndevelopment undertaken by Indonesia cannot be separated from the
\nnation and character building of the past.<\/p>\n
He said the spirit of patriotism and values of social justice,
\nwhich characterize the Indonesian people, must not be neglected
\nby the physical material goals the country is striving for.<\/p>\n
\"I just want to remind you that, despite the progress made,
\nthere are many problems the current generation has to focus on,\"
\nhe said, adding that \"state officials should not quiver because
\nof the economic development which is too materialistic\".<\/p>\n
Without neglecting the government's leadership, Roeslan said
\nfarmers and industrial workers have been the true engine of
\nIndonesia's success and called for due respect and attention to
\ntheir efforts.<\/p>\n
\"Our laborers demand `humane wages', which are sometimes not
\ngranted them,\" Roeslan lamented.<\/p>\n
The question of labor rights has been a very thorny affair for
\nthe government, with issues ranging from the implementation of
\nthe minimum wage, to labor unions being suspected of involvement,
\nby security personnel, in the murder of laborer activist
\nMarsinah.<\/p>\n
\"Before, we used to ask 'who killed Mallaby?', now, in East
\nJava, they are asking 'who killed Marsinah?'\" Roeslan said,
\nreferring to British Brig. Gen. Mallaby, who was killed in
\nSurabaya by unknown gunmen, thought to be Indonesian independence
\nfighters in 1945.<\/p>\n
\"Ladies and Gentlemen, this a tragedy,\" Roeslan said of
\nMarsinah, who was found murdered in an East Java town last year.<\/p>\n
Roeslan further touched on the fact that the state was, at
\ntimes, used as a stick to strike against those who are averse.<\/p>\n
\"Yes, now, sometimes, there are occurrences like that, but I
\nthink they say it is for the sake of stability,\" Roeslan said.
\n(mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/stop-vulgarization-of-pancasila-roeslan-1447893297",
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